Catching Up With The Common Good

McKeen Center News 

We hope everyone had a restorative break last week! We are happy to have you back.   

A note to Bowdoin Volunteer Corps student leaders: make sure you are using the updated / “Version 2” link for student volunteer training videos! Email mbirnbau@bowdoin.edu for the link or with any questions. 

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Bowdoin Opportunities

Bowdoin Volunteer Corps in Smith Union

December 3^rd and 4^th, 3pm-5pm  
Bowdoin Volunteer Corps will be tabling in Smith Union on December 3^rd and 4^th from 3 to 5 PM in part as a response to the election. The goal of this is to share numerous opportunities to get involved in the community through the McKeen Center – encourage your friends to stop by! Email mbirnbau@bowdoin.edu with any questions.  

Winter Break Community Engagement Program Application Open

Application Deadline: December 9, 2025, Noon 
The Winter Break Community Engagement Program (WBCEP) allows students of aid the opportunity to provide 50 hours of volunteer service to a nonprofit or municipal organization over the Bowdoin winter break. Participating students will receive training, support in identifying a host site, and check-ins from the McKeen Center. Volunteer work can be remote or in-person. Students will receive a $750 reflection stipend for completing the WBCEP reflection essay and evaluation survey at the end of the program in January. In order to apply, students must watch the Information Session video, secure a partnership, and complete the application.  

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Community & Professional  Opportunities

Forest Foundation: Paid Summer Fellowship Program 

Applications open December 1st, 2024 and close February 14th, 2025 
On December 1st, the Forest Foundation will be accepting applications to our paid Summer Fellowship Program in Boston, MA for the summer of 2025. We provide opportunities for undergraduate college students to gain experience and learn the inner workings of the nonprofit world through a comprehensive fellowship program including: a 10-week internship at a nonprofit host agency, leadership skills development, workshops around the nonprofit sector, a grant-writing project, and networking! To learn more, visit ffinterns.org or email mbirnbau@bowdoin.edu with questions.  

Summer 2025 Accelerator Program in Entrepreneurship 

Application Deadline January 15^th, 2025 
Have you been thinking about innovative solutions to social justice issues? Want to live and work in Portland, Maine this summer? Northeastern’s Roux Institute for talent and innovation is running their 2025 Maine Summer Accelerator program, which is dedicated to empowering student entrepreneurs connected to Maine. Open to Maine-based college students and students from Maine studying out-of-state. Students will have the opportunity to attend this free program and live in one of two apartment complexes in downtown Portland with their cohort, working on-site at the Roux Institute June 16^th through August 15th. Apply here or contact Emily Morrow, Student Entrepreneurship Program Manager, at em.morrow@northeastern.edu with questions.   

Volunteer with United Way of Midcoast Maine

Make a real financial impact for hundreds of Mainers by assisting in tax preparation! Serve as a Tax Preparer to support the filing of tax returns, a Greeter to welcome clients and manage intake, or an Opportunity Guide to direct clients to local financial resources. Free training is provided for all roles. To volunteer, contact Steve at (207) 751-3756 or midcoastcash@uwmcm.org.  

Volunteer at First Parish Church

The Children and Youth Ministry leader at the First Parish Church seeks Bowdoin students to support bi-weekly Friday-night hang-outs comprised of 25-30 middle school students. Every other Friday from 6-8pm, students gather for pizza, meaningful discussions (on friendships, expectations, sexuality, fears, anxieties, etc), and games, with the goal of helping one another feel safe to show up exactly as they are. Volunteers are expected to commit to at least one session per month, and should come ready to compassionately listen to middle schoolers’ experiences. For more information about this opportunity and to volunteer, please email mbirnbau@bowdoin.edu and bhodgkins@firstparish.net. Background check and online safe church training will be required.  

Join Bear PALS

Looking for a low-stakes volunteer opportunity? Consider joining Bear PALS! Volunteers work one-on-one as tutors and mentors with ESL (English as Second Language) students at Brunswick High School. If you are interested, please fill out this quick form and/or reach out to Jimena Molina ’25. 

Environment America Internships 

Rolling Applications 
Environment America is a policy and action group working to tackle the most profound problem of our time: a way of living that is depleting and destabilizing the natural world. EA is hiring interns to work with our issue advocacy teams and our state offices across the country. Interns will gain experience and make a difference on important environmental issues like plastic pollution, clean energy, protecting open spaces and more. Internships for fall, spring, and summer are all available, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can find more information about EA and open positions here. 

Thanks for reading! Email Megan Birnbaum to set up individual or group meetings with any of the McKeen Center staff to learn more about ongoing events and programs, seek resources, discuss ideas, and have questions answered. Please email commongood@bowdoin.edu with any items that you would like to see included in Catching Up With The Common Good.